Why you shouldn’t wear gloves to shop

Why you shouldn’t wear gloves to shop

In the days since virus restrictions were announced you might have noticed increasing numbers of people wearing gloves to shop at the supermarket or grocery store in a bid to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

After all, studies have shown the virus can survive on surfaces for between three and nine days - depending on the material.

But while it might seem like a good idea, the experts will tell you it is not. In fact, wearing gloves could increase your chances of infection, according to a British medic.

National Health Service (NHS) surgeon Dr Karan Rangarajan, who has tens of thousands of followers on social media, has made a Tik Tok video explaining why hand washing beats gloves every time.

Australian virologist Ian Mackay warned there were misconceptions about the level of protection things like masks and gloves could offer against the virus in a Twitter thread at the weekend.

"If you wear latex/vinyl gloves while out, realise you have added a surface on which virus is likely to last for *longer* than on your hands (perhaps only 30 minutes at most)," Dr Mackay wrote.

"And as with any PPE (personal protective equipment) you choose to wear - be it masks or gloves or Tyvek suits - dispose them carefully *into* a rubbish bin.

"Don't leave them lying around for others to come into contact with, therefore putting *them* at risk. Then immediately sanitise your hands."

And as with any PPE you choose to wear - be it masks, or gloves or Tyvek suit - dispose of them carefully *into* a rubbish bin. Don't leave them lying around for others to come into contact with, therefor putting *them* at risk. Then immediately sanitise your hands./21

Last week, US infectious disease expert Dr Marc Siegel said prefers constant hand sanitisation and washing over wearing gloves to protect himself during the coronavirus outbreak.

"Gloves accumulate germs, gloves accumulate viruses," Dr Siegel told Fox News. He was responding to a viewer's question about whether it was necessary to don gloves before venturing to the grocery store.